I'm Better.....but

[Alia]

Hi, haven't posted since my introduction. Too busy being totally lazy!
I was diagnosed with PTSD 2 1/2 months ago. Started on medication and have being seeing a therapist.
At first I was a heart pounding, hyperventilating, hypervigilant, sweaty, shaky mess, who couldn't concentrate or focus, no memory at all, hiding under a blanket and drinking too much.
Now, after using EMDR therapy ~5 times, I've gone from an anxiety level of 10/10 to a 5/10, and feel soo much better. Yay! Soo greatful!
One issue remains that has us stymied. I still sit on the couch ALL day. Don't clean, cook, do laundry, open mail, get out of jammies, or accomplish the most basic of tasks that need to be done.
Does anyone else have this? And anyone have a clue how I can pry myself off the couch? This is getting ridiculous.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Deleted member 541]

First of all, congratulations on feeling better! Now........ The issue of sitting on your butt all day long. GET UP!!!! Just do it. Get up and start doing things. Plain and simple. You sit because you can. It will get easier, but you have to be the one to get up and start moving.

 

[spt2012]

First, congratulations on the work you've done. So glad you're feeling better.

Second... It's true...you sit because you can. Huge amount of willpower to get moving, but really important. The longer you sit, the harder it will be to get going. Just decide to do it and go!

 

[Alia]

Thanks! It is strangely motivating to have someone else tell me to just get off my butt and do something. And that is just what I'm gonna try to do...right now! Wish me luck - I'm kinda glued here!

 

[Whyteferret]

Choose a small thing. Get a shower, get dressed. Even if you aren't planning on going anywhere. Do something in your house. Fold laundry, clean kitchen, etc

Get outside. Walk around the block or something.

As you do more, it's easier to do more.

Talk to the therapist. Sometimes depression is part of PTSD. If you have depression, it will help to face it also

 

[Sandstone]

You said in your original Intro that you were using alcohol as a coping technique. Have you been able to move away from that? If not, it could be having an impact on your activity levels

 

[sun seeker]

Started on medication and have being seeing a therapist.

Did the change in your activity level happen after you started the medication? Just wondering if this could be one of the side effects. You don't want to stop taking it without talking to your doctor, but this would be a good question to run by them.

 

[Alia]

You said in your original Intro that you were using alcohol as a coping technique. Have you been able...

Yes, Sandstone, I have been able to stop drinking alcohol. Was easier than I expected, but once I started to feel better, knew the alcohol had to go. PTSD is challenging enough without an addiction on top of it. Thanks for asking!

 

[Alia]

Did the change in your activity level happen after you started the medication? Just wondering if th...

I think the change in activity began after being discharged from the hospital, post accident. At first I could not do anything for myself, then very gradually able to do more. But it was one complication after another. More specialists to see and more tests. Was in a lot of pain, so it was easier to just sit and stay put. Perhaps just got used to it to prevent taking ten minutes just to get out of the chair. Was trying to get motivated when, along comes PTSD, and knocks me back on the couch - this time under a blanket, with a glass of vodka in my hand.
As far as the medication goes - it seems to have mellowed me out a bit, but EMDR has been the real life saver.
Thanks for the suggestion though. I appreciate all and any suggestions.

 

[Alia]

Okay....a big 'Thank You' to all who answered.
As I mentioned, I was gonna try prying myself off the couch. Took a bit of procrastination, but........
Wah! Once I got started I did alllll the dishes, changed the sheets, did five loads of laundry, put all the stuff I need to get rid of in the storage area, threw out the garbage and recycling, straightened up the house, made dinner, and worked on some artwork. I've been meaning to do for many months.
Now I've collapsed back in my favorite chair. But at least have a sense of accomplishment and hoping I can keep this up, and not slide back to slug mode.
Thanks for the advice. Sometimes we need a kick in the butt and I appreciate being told that. Forget that dang 'political correctness' and just say it like it is. That is my preference anyway.
One thing...while I was typing this a member's profile showed on the screen. Being the total computer illiterate that I am, had no clue what it meant or what to do. So, friend, not trying to be rude. Just dumb is all

 

[Crow]

I go through cycles of not doing the basics. The last was going way too long. Someone here suggested using my trauma diary as an accountability device. I would list my to do list in the morning and my done list in the evening. It helped so much. Now I have a laminated task list of daily and every two weeks stuff to do. I am not coming close right now to completing everything. Energy needed other places. But it's a great measure to help me see when I'm sliding into the lump mode.

 

[Dana1010]

The stack of bills on the coffee table usually helps.